how he has "left us an example, that we should follow his steps." And are we trying, in the strength of Divine grace, to do so?

And he gave them an account of his sufferings, death, and resurrection; and of his coming, the second time, to judge the world in righteousness.

He affirmed, that he, and his fellow apostles, were witnesses of these things; for they had been with their Lord and Master, and had seen him, and ate and drank with him, after he had arisen.

And whilst Peter was preaching, the Holy Ghost fell on all that heard the word. What a blessed congregation was this, in which there was not one who was not converted. Still the word of the Gospel, by the influence of God's Spirit, is "the power of God unto salvation, to every one that believeth." Let each make the inquiry, Has it been so to me?

Not only were all who were present converted, but they were enabled to speak with tongues, as the apostles were on the day of Pentecost. And they praised God for the "glad tidings," which

"Then answered

Peter had announced to them. Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost, as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord:" Acts x. 46, 8.

QUESTIONS.

1. What are all who receive the Gospel?

2. What distinctions are done away in the Christian church?

3. What should we do?

4. If we love our friends as we ought, what shall we do? 5. What is a fine sight?

6. What did Peter say?

7. What is the word of the Gospel by the power of God's Spirit?

STORY XXXIV.

THE DEPARTURE OF PAUL.

THE apostle Paul suffered death at Rome, under the cruel reign of the Roman emperor Nero; and, most likely, by his immediate command.' As he speaks of himself, as "Paul the aged," no doubt he was far advanced in life.

A little before he was beheaded, he wrote to Timothy, to tell him how things were with him, and to give him his last solemn charge.

It is very pleasing to know, that though he was about to leave the world in this painful way, yet his mind was not only happy, but full of joy.

In his letter to Timothy he said, "I am ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished

my course, I have kept the faith; henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but also to all them that love his appearing."

But what did he mean by this language? He meant many things which are worth knowing. He meant, that the Christian is, in some respects like a soldier, for he has many foes to overcome.3 The men of the world—that is, those who take up with present things as their portion, and think and live as if there were no God; these sometimes want to turn him, by their smiles and caresses, from the narrow way that "leadeth unto life;" and often they try to do so by their frowns. Now a good man, in the strength of God's grace, has to resist them both. Thus Moses did. He was not moved from his duty by the smiles of Pharaoh, nor by his threatenings." He feared not the wrath of the king; he endured as seeing him who is invisible. He chose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the plea

sures of sin, which are but for a season." Blessed choice!

Paul meant, that, by Divine grace, he had done as Moses did; that he had fought against what was evil in his own heart; and that he had resisted the temptations of the great enemy.

What are these? They are many. These are some of them-do not fear to sin against God; care not about his favour; think not of the welfare of your soul; religion will rob you of your pleasures; seek your own enjoyment on God's holy day; go with the gay multitude of the ungodly; think not about death, nor judgment, nor eternity; call not upon God for his mercy, it will be time enough when you come to die. These are dreadful sentiments. But what multitudes are ruined by them! Paul had, by God's help, resisted them. "I have," said he, "fought the good fight!"

He compares the life of the Christian to the races which were common in Greece." These required diligence. Lazy wishes would not gain